This Section applies to the permitting of all small residential rooftop solar energy systems, as defined herein, in the City of Inglewood and pursuant to Government Code Section 65850.5.
(Ord. 21-04 1-19-21)
The following words and phrases as used in this Article are defined as follows:
"Accessory structure"
means a structure not greater than three thousand square feet (two hundred seventy-nine square meters) in floor area, and not over two stories in height, the use of which is customarily accessory to and incidental to that of the dwelling(s) and which is located on the same lot.
"Building Official"
or "Official" means the official in charge of Building Safety of the City of Inglewood, or authorized representative.
"City"
means the City of Inglewood or the City Council of the City of Inglewood.
"Electronic submittal"
means the utilization of email or the Internet.
"Small residential rooftop solar energy system"
or "SRRSES" means all of the following:
(a) 
A solar energy system that is no larger than ten kilowatts alternating current nameplate rating or thirty kilowatts thermal.
(b) 
A solar energy system that conforms to all applicable state fire, structural, electrical, and other building codes as adopted or amended by the City and paragraph (3) of subdivision (c) of Section 714 of the California Civil Code, as such section or subdivision may be amended, renumbered, or redesignated from time to time.
(c) 
A solar energy system that is installed on a single- or duplex-family dwelling and accessory structure(s).
(d) 
A solar panel or module array that does not exceed the maximum legal building height as defined by the City.
"Solar energy system"
has the same meaning set forth in paragraphs (1) and (2) of subdivision (a) of Section 801.5 of the California Civil Code, as such section or subdivision may be amended, renumbered, or redesignated from time to time.
"Specific, adverse impact"
means a significant, quantifiable, direct, and unavoidable impact, based on objective, identified, and written public health or safety standards, policies, or conditions as they existed on the date the application was deemed complete.
(Ord. 21-04 1-19-21)
(1) 
All solar energy systems shall meet applicable health and safety standards and requirements imposed by the State of California and of the City of Inglewood, including the local Fire Department.
(2) 
Solar energy systems for heating water in single-family residences and for heating water in commercial or swimming pool applications shall be certified by an accredited listing agency as defined by the California Plumbing and Mechanical Codes.
(3) 
Solar energy systems for producing electricity shall meet all applicable safety and performance standards established by the California Electrical Code, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers, and accredited testing laboratories such as Underwriters Laboratories, and, where applicable, rules of the Public Utilities Commission regarding safety and reliability.
(4) 
No later than January 1, 2021, an application to install a solar energy system shall include a reference to the requirement to notify the appropriate regional notification center of an excavator's intent to excavate, pursuant to Article 2 (commending with Section 4216) of Chapter 3.1 of Division 5 of Title 1, before conducting an excavation, including, but not limited to, installing a ground rod.
(5) 
The City shall not be liable for any damages associated with the failure of a person required to obtain a solar energy system permit to notify the appropriate regional notification center of an intended excavation.
(Ord. 21-04 1-19-21)
(1) 
On or before September 30, 2015, the Building Official shall adopt an expedited permitting process for SRRSES, including a standard plan and checklist(s) of all requirements with which small residential SRRSES shall comply to be eligible for expedited review.
(2) 
The checklist and all documents required for the submission of an expedited small residential SRRSES application shall be made available to the public on the City's website.
(3) 
The fees prescribed for the permitting of small residential SRRSES shall be established from time to time by resolution of the City and shall be in compliance with California Government Code Sections 65850.55, 66015, 66016, and California Health and Safety Code Section 17951 and shall be located in the City's Master Fee Schedule.
(4) 
Prior to submitting an application for permits for a SRRSES, the applicant shall:
(a) 
Verify to the Building Official's reasonable satisfaction through the use of standard engineering evaluation techniques that the support structure for the SRRSES is stable and adequate to transfer all wind, seismic, and dead and live loads, associated with the system to the building foundation; and
(b) 
At the applicant's cost verify to the Official's reasonable satisfaction using standard electrical inspection techniques that the existing electrical system including existing line, load, ground and bonding wiring as well as main panel and subpanel sizes are adequately sized, based on the existing electrical system's current use, to carry all new photovoltaic electrical loads.
(5) 
An application that satisfies the information requirements in the checklist, as determined by the Building Official, shall be deemed complete. Upon receipt of an incomplete application, the Building Official shall issue a written correction notice detailing all deficiencies in the application and any additional information required to be eligible for expedited permit issuance.
(Ord. 21-04 1-19-21)
(1) 
Any condition imposed on an application shall be designed to mitigate the specific, adverse impact upon health and safety at the lowest possible cost.
(2) 
A feasible method to satisfactorily mitigate or avoid the specific, adverse impact includes, but is not limited to, any cost-effective method, condition, or mitigation imposed by the City on another similarly situated application in a prior successful application for a permit. The City shall use its best efforts to ensure that the selected method, condition, or mitigation meets the conditions of subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (1) of subdivision (d) of Section 714 of the California Civil Code.
(3) 
Upon confirmation by the Building Official of the application and supporting documentation being complete and meeting the requirements of the checklist, the Building Official shall administratively approve the application and issue all required permits or authorizations. Such approval does not authorize an applicant to connect the SRRSES to the local utility provider's electricity grid. The applicant is responsible for obtaining such approval or permission from the local utility provider.
(4) 
For a small SRRSES eligible for expedited review, only one inspection shall be required, which shall be done in a timely manner and may include a consolidated inspection by the Building Official and the local Fire Department. If a SRRSES fails inspection, a subsequent inspection is authorized; however, the subsequent inspection need not conform to the requirements of this subsection.
(5) 
A Building Official may require an applicant to apply for a use permit if the Official finds, based on substantial evidence, that the solar energy system could have a specific, adverse impact upon the public health and safety. A decision to require an applicant to apply for a use permit or a denial of an application for a use permit may be appealed to the City Planning Commission.
(Ord. 21-04 1-19-21)